Page 64 of Acid

“For sleeping with you when I was confused. For leading you on,” I sigh.

He just gives me a lazy smile. “Don’t apologise for the sex. Fuck, I don’t regret any of that for a second. You gave me no false hope, darlin’. I knew what I was getting into,” he assures.

I nod, but I can see the sadness flicker through his eyes before he gets the chance to hide it. He doesn’t say anymore, and simply places another kiss on my temple before he gets up and walks inside.

I stay out there, refusing to go in. Queenie brings me a blanket and some more tea. I pull the blanket over me, but I refuse to drink the tea. I just sit out there in the dark night, just staring up at the stars. I don’t sleep, I couldn’t sleep even if I wanted to. I was cold, freezing in fact, but in a weird way it feltlike the least I should do is punish myself with what Acid would be going through.

I stayed there all night and all through the next day. Star had tried to talk to me, Maggie and Dixie had offered me strong sleeping pills, but I just sat there, staring, unmoving, unable to think of anything other than what he might be going through, wondering if he’s still alive.

As darkness again descended, Star comes out with a bowl in her hand and sits next to me, just holding it. “Queenie told me to bring you out some soup,” she states, I don’t look at her. I just blink and keep looking forward. “I’m not going to force you to eat it. I wouldn’t, either.” She sighs. “When you were getting ready to go out and I said about feelings getting involved, it’s because I could see it. I could see how you felt about him long before you could, and I could see how he felt about you. You were more than friends, even before you decided to sleep together.” She pauses for a moment. “I know this because Ghost is my best friend. No one can make me laugh like him. No one knows me like him, and he knows all my secrets.” She pauses. “Well, apart from when I’m trying to arrange a girls’ night.” She laughs. “They’re trying, you know, in there right now, they are trying to find out where he is. They won’t stop, and they won’t leave him behind,” she says, trying to reassure me.

For the first time, I turn my head and acknowledge her. “What if they’re too late?” I rasp.

Star swallows back her emotions and clears her throat. “They’re not, and I refuse to believe that until there is proof.”

Suddenly there’s a loud commotion, the sound of arguing and shouting coming from within the club. Star and I turn to see Spider storming out, the guys yelling after him.

Star stands. “What’s going on?” she asks.

“We found out where they are and Spider is going to offer himself,” Rage grits through his teeth.

“Nova?” I ask.

“The rest of them are with Belle,” she answers.

I jump up from the bench. “Get the keys, we are following them,” I say as the brothers all start up the bikes to go after Spider. I run to the truck while Star chucks the bowl down and runs in to get the keys. She runs back out quickly, and I hold out my hand for them.

“No way, you’re too emotional. Get the fuck in,” she orders as she unlocks the truck. We jump in and before I can shut the door, Star is speeding after them.

My heart is beating wildly in my chest and my palms are sweating. I’m terrified to let myself hope, scared that if I believe there is a chance he’s alive that we will find him dead. Star speeds through red lights, blaring the horn at anyone that gets in our way.

We can see the lights of their bikes up ahead. “They’re turning left!” I yell.

“I fucking know!” she yells back, adrenaline coursing through us.

It feels like it takes a lifetime to get there, but eventually we see them slow as they make a right. Star slows the truck and pulls over, leaving it just out of sight. I don’t wait for her to park before I’m opening the door and jumping out.

Star runs after me. “Jesus, stop!” she hisses, grabbing my arm.

“I have to go to him!” I protest.

“And we will, but not by getting yourself fucking killed doing it,” she hisses.

We watch as the guys all storm into the huge old house, and we quickly follow. All of them have their guns raised as they take aim at Eugene and his men. They too have their guns aimed back at them and as I skid to a stop, my eyes go to Eugene. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, his forearms are covered in blood,and a small saw is in his hand. My stomach recoils as I look past him and see a camera set up and there, his head hanging down, his body covered in blood, is Acid. I don’t think about the situation, the guns, the threat, none of it. I run as fast as my legs will carry me and fall to my knees before him.

“Fuck!” I hear Ghost yell.

I cup Acid’s bloody face in mine, hating the deep cuts on his face that are pouring with blood. “Acid, it’s me,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Acid, look at me,” I sob, begging. He doesn’t move. I look to the side and see a tray of tools. I quickly grab a blade and reach around the back of him, freeing his arms, then his ankles. I chuck the blade across the room, and Acid’s body slumps forward. I try to catch him and ease him to the floor. I try to cover his wounds, but my hands and clothes are already covered in his blood. “Acid, please. Please wake up,” I sob, begging. I lean down and press kisses to his face. “Please.” I press my lips to his bloody mouth. “I love you, I love you,” I repeat between kisses. He lets out a soft groan and I gasp. As his eyes flutter open, I cry harder. “I love you,” I repeat through my sobs. His eyes are lifeless as he looks back at me before they flutter closed again. “No, no. Stay awake,” I beg. I try covering his wounds, trying anything to stop the bleeding. I look up, and everyone is still stood there, their eyes on each other. A game, a standoff.

Spider’s pained eyes come to mine before he steps forward. “It’s me you want,” he states.

“Spider, shut the fuck up,” Ghost growls.

Eugene watches on, not saying a word, not showing his next move. It’s then that Scar lowers his gun, dropping it to the floor. He steps forward, pushing Spider behind him. “I’m here in exchange for Acid,” he states.

Star’s wide gaze comes to mine.

“No!” I yell.

---